WWE Judgment Day (2004)

The 2004 Judgment Day was the sixth Judgment Day professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It was held exclusively for wrestlers from the promotion's SmackDown! brand division. The event took place on May 16, 2004, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

The main event was for the WWE Championship between Eddie Guerrero and John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL), which JBL won by disqualification after Guerrero hit JBL with the WWE Championship belt; titles do not change hands via disqualification or countout unless stipulated, thus Guerrero retained. Featured matches on undercard were The Undertaker versus Booker T, John Cena versus René Duprée for the WWE United States Championship and Chavo Guerrero versus Jacqueline for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.

Production

Background

Storylines

The event featured eight professional wrestling matches that resulted from scripted storylines. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on the SmackDown! brand, while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television show, SmackDown!.[4][5]

The main event at Judgment Day was between Eddie Guerrero and John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) over the WWE Championship. On the March 25 episode of SmackDown!, recently drafted Raw superstar Booker T insulted SmackDown! superstars. The new SmackDown! General Manager Kurt Angle gave Booker T an opportunity against Guerrero for the WWE Championship. However, JBL, a member of the recently disbanded APA who turned heel earlier in the night, interfered in the match and attacked Guerrero with a Clothesline from Hell.[6] On the April 8 episode of SmackDown!, Angle announced that the winner of the Great American Award would become the number-one contender for the WWE Championship, which he gave to JBL. However, Guerrero came out, stole the trophy and broke it.[7] On the April 22 episode of SmackDown!, Guerrero lost to D-Von Dudley in a non-title match after interference from Bubba Ray Dudley, and was attacked by JBL after the match.[8] On the May 6 episode of SmackDown!, it was announced that JBL caused Guerrero's mother to suffer a (kayfabe) heart attack during an altercation between the two at a house show four days prior.[9] The following week on SmackDown!, Guerrero was arrested after he destroyed JBL's limousine, and JBL defeated Rey Mysterio.[10]

The other main match on the card was a standard match between Booker T and The Undertaker. On the April 22 episode of SmackDown!, after defeating Rob Van Dam, Booker T bragged about how he was the biggest star on the SmackDown! brand, but then ran away after hearing The Undertaker's entrance theme.[8][11] The following week on SmackDown!, Booker T tried to attack The Undertaker to no avail, leading to Kurt Angle booking a match between the two at Judgment Day.[12] On the May 6 episode of SmackDown!, Booker T went to a cemetery and grabbed dirt from an unmarked grave to use against The Undertaker.[13]

Another feud heading into the event was between John Cena and René Duprée over the WWE United States Championship. The feud began after Duprée was drafted to the SmackDown! brand. On the April 22 episode of SmackDown!, Duprée debuted a talk show segment called "Cafe de René", with Torrie Wilson as his guest. Duprée insulted Wilson and tried to attack her, only for Cena to save her.[8] The following week on SmackDown!, Cena interfered in Duprée's match with Wilson, and Kurt Angle announced that Cena would defend the United States Championship against Duprée at Judgment Day.[12]

Event

Before the Judgment Day event aired live on pay-per-view, Mark Jindrak defeated Funaki in a match that aired on Sunday Night Heat.[14]

Preliminary matches

The pay-per-view began with a tag team match, where the team of Rey Mysterio and Rob Van Dam faced The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley). The match was evenly controlled by both teams. Bubba Ray and D-Von attempted a 3-D on Mysterio, but Van Dam prevented the move and Mysterio performed a 619 on Bubba Ray and D-Von. Van Dam performed a Five Star Frog Splash on D-Von and pinned him to win the match.[14][15]

The next match was between Torrie Wilson and Dawn Marie. Wilson ripped Marie's trunks and exposed her thong before pinning Marie with a backslide to win the match.[14][15]

The third match was between Mordecai and Scotty 2 Hotty, which Mordecai won after performing a crucifix powerbomb.[14][15]

The fourth match was between Charlie Haas and Rico (managed by Miss Jackie) and Billy Gunn and Hardcore Holly for the WWE Tag Team Championship. Holly attempted to execute the Alabama Slam on Haas, but Rico performed a superkick on Holly while Gunn distracted the referee. Haas pinned Holly with a sunset flip to retain the titles.[14][15]

The following match was between Jacqueline and Chavo Guerrero (managed by Chavo Classic) for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship. Guerrero wrestled the match with his left arm tied behind his back. After back and forth action, Chavo Classic untied Guerrero's left arm and distracted the referee, allowing Guerrero to hit Jacqueline with the arm, drop her throat-first over the top rope and perform a Gory Bomb to win the title.[14][15]

After that, John Cena defended the WWE United States Championship against René Duprée. Cena performed an FU on Dupree to retain the title.[14][15]

Main event matches

The next match was a standard match between The Undertaker and Booker T. In the climax, the referee was knocked down, and Booker T threw dirt at the Undertaker to no effect. Booker T performed the scissors kick on The Undertaker for a two count. The Undertaker executed a clothesline followed by a Tombstone Piledriver on Booker T for the pinfall victory.[14][15]

In the main event, Eddie Guerrero defended the WWE Championship against John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL). Guerrero attempted to execute a plancha on JBL, but JBL caught Guerrero with a fallaway slam onto the floor and performed a back body drop onto a broadcast table. Back in the ring, JBL applied a bear hug, but Guerrero escaped by poking JBL in the eye and performed a dropkick followed by Three Amigos. After Guerrero collided with the referee, JBL hit Guerrero with a steel chair, causing Guerrero to bleed profusely (which in reality was caused by botched blading that resulted in Guerrero cutting an artery in his forehead). JBL performed a Clothesline from Hell

tagline	Souls will cry.
promotion	World Wrestling Entertainment
brand	SmackDown!
date	May 16, 2004
venue	Staples Center
city	Los Angeles, California
attendance	18,722
buyrate	235,000‡R1R‡
lastevent	Backlash
nextevent	Bad Blood
event	Judgment Day
lastevent2	2003
nextevent2	2005

WWE Judgment Day (2004)

Production

Background

Storylines

Event

Preliminary matches

Main event matches

Aftermath

Results

External links

References